Barack Obama’s job is nearing its expiration. He campaigned on “Yes we can” but with regards to foreign policy he either “did” half-heartedly or didn’t when America’s intervention was needed. He arrived at the White House as a “no war” president pledging to right past wrongs and to reach out to the Arab world.

Instead, America’s Commander-in-Chief and Leader of the Free World cooed to Iran, embraced the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and abandoned the Syrian people to death and destruction. He was dragged into authorizing a military intervention in Libya by France and the UK, which contributed to the downfall of Muammar Qaddafi, but has done nothing since to rid that country of armed militias and terrorists. He has also stepped-up drone attacks on Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Moreover, he’s bequeathed swathes of Syria and Iraq to the so-called Islamic State and has green-lighted Iran’s domination over that Arab country, while kicking the interests of America’s longstanding regional allies to the curb. And as for his promised Palestinian State that failed to manifest largely because he wasn’t prepared to Israel tough love. Furthermore, on his watch, a new Cold War between the West and Russia has erupted bringing with it potential dangers for our planet. In fairness, he’s not a one-man show and should not be blamed for all the ills of the world. There’ll be few wiping their eyes with their handkerchiefs in this neighborhood when he clears his Oval Office desk but the question is who will succeed him?

Until now, sure contenders in the Democratic hat are: Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Saunders. And in the Republicans are: Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. Still in the category of probable are: George W. Bush’s brother, Jeb Bush, Sen. John McCain’s best buddy, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Jim Webb and former governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley. The business magnate and TV personality, Donald Trump, is said to be weighing whether or not to run.

Most analysts say their money’s on Clinton as the favorite to win. If they’re right, this may not be good news for the region. The lady has a murky past with regards to the Benghazi embassy attack; she backs the nuclear deal with Iran and is a close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, going as far as to support his onslaught on Gaza last year resulting in the death of over 2,000 Palestinians.

The son of Jewish immigrants to the US, Bernie Saunders, has opposed the US-led aerial campaign against the Islamic State. He supported Israel’s attack on Gaza and says he is prepared to endorse negotiations with Iran.

Ted Cruz opened his cards when he condemned Obama for ruining America’s relationship with Israel. On the deal with Iran, he reflects Israel’s position, calling on Congress to block it. He has accused Obama of being an “apologist” for radicals, adding that the IS must be destroyed.

On the Iran talks, Rand Paul says he’s not happy with the framework but will keep an open mind. He has called for a “Declaration of War” against the IS and has attempted to introduce a bill to defund the Palestinians in response to the Palestinian membership of the International Criminal Court. Marco Rubio has tried to scuttle the Iran deal with amendments that could kill it. He was blistering on Obama’s cold shoulder to Netanyahu calling it an historic mistake. And on tackling the IS, he has labelled Obama as being timid.

Dubbed “America’s leading Christian Zionist” politician Mike Huckabee, believes the Jews are God’s chosen people and the dividing of Jerusalem as “unimaginable.” On Iran, he has accused the Obama administration of “abdicating to the ayatollahs’ interests.”

Jeb Bush’s push for president may be hampered by the legacy of his relatives. On US-Israel policy, he has nominated GWB as his most trusted adviser. On Iran, Lindsey Graham has insisted that any “final deal on Iran’s nuclear program” must include its backing of terrorism. He says sanctions shouldn’t be listed as long as that country is a state-sponsor of terrorism. He has criticized Obama’s treatment of Israel and told the Netanyahu government that Congress has its back. He says he wanted “10,000 boots on the ground to fight the IS.”

Rank outsider Jim Webb, who was assistant secretary of defense in Reagan’s Cabinet, opposed the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and says America should never again become an occupying power. He has termed Obama’s response to IS beheadings as “appalling” and expressed his concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza while supporting Israel’s right to self-defense.

Poor Donald Trump is a non-starter. His bid has been received with hilarity among Democrats and a WSJ/NBC News Poll suggests 74 percent of Republicans wouldn’t support him anyway.

With the exception of Webb, it seems the Middle East will have little to celebrate when Obama heads for the hills after all.